Paul George is in the last year of his 4-year contract with the Clippers, with one additional player option year remaining. The NBA trade deadline has passed, but rumors are circulating around the front offices about a possible off-season move for the 33-year-old.
Should he choose not to exercise his player option in the summer of 2024, it has the likelihood of turning into quite a drama, given that the Sixers are interested in adding players to their roster.
Paul George attracting Sixers attention
Paul George has shut down any trade possibilities for the franchise hours before the now-expired deadline. Despite the no-movement stance, it can change in the summer. The Sixers are reportedly interested in bringing in the Palmdale-born guard to add him to the duo of Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. PG13’s teammate, James Harden, might not take it kindly that Daryl Morey has set eyes on his Clippers buddy. With contract talks with the LA franchise at an impasse, a move to the Sixers might tempt the steal artist.
NBA insider Chris Haynes recently assessed the situation. “If Paul George and the Clippers are unable to get an extension done, look for the Sixers to be very aggressive and try to pursue him in the offseason,” said the TNT reporter. With the team in the 4th spot in the Western Conference, a post-season run can become a deciding factor if Paul George opts to pocket $48,787,676 with his player option for next season.
Paul George’s career at Clippers
In July 2019, Paul George was traded to the Clippers from the Thunder, but he couldn’t play until November due to two shoulder surgeries. The franchise ended in second place in the Western Conference. The forward was named a member of the NBA All-Star squad and averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 48 games played.
After warding off the Mavs in the first round, the Clippers succumbed to the Nuggets in the conference semis. Despite valiant efforts from Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, who scored 21.7 points per game throughout the series, Nikola Jokic and Co. proved too tough to crack. His infamous miss against the Denver franchise in game 7 earned him the nickname “Pandemic P,” stemming from his self-bestowed “Playoff P.”
His stat line increased the next season to 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists and he became an integral part of the franchise. Worth mentioning, he signed a four-year, $190 million contract extension with the franchise in the same season.
In the season 2021-2022, he averaged 24.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists. In the last season (2022-2023), he put up an average of 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 56 games.
This year he played 47 games and averaged 22.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 33.7 minutes per game earning him his 4th All-Star selection with Clippers and his 9th overall.
He has been a consistent performer in the past 5 seasons and has previously expressed a desire to renew his contract. But if things change between now and June 6 Sixers can manage to land him can gain a significant boost in their NBA Championship aspiration next season.
